(KAHULUI, Hawaii, Sept. 13, 2013) The Maui Culinary Academy (MCA) at the University of Hawai‘i Maui College (UHMC), in partnership with the Fairmont Kea Lani Maui and Youngs Market Company of Hawai‘i will present the 17th annual Noble Chef benefit on Saturday, October 26, 2013, organizers announced today. The event begins with a VIP reception at 5pm, followed by a full reception at 6 p.m., and an elegant gourmet dinner with entertainment and auction at 7 p.m. Tickets are $250 for preferred seating and $185 for general seating. Table sponsorships begin at $3,000.

The Noble Chef is MCA’s largest annual fundraiser, and features a mentorship program that pairs together many Maui’s celebrity chefs and MCA students. This year’s event theme is “The World on a Plate”, represented by a celebrity chef-designed reception menu spanning the culinary “hot spots” of the world, including Japan, Vietnam, Morocco, Spain, Great Britain, India, Greece, New Zealand, and Mexico. After the reception, guests will sit down for a multi-course gourmet French dinner and dessert prepared by MCA’s faculty chefs. Wine and spirits throughout the evening are provided by Young’s Market Company of Hawai‘i, Ocean Vodka, and Maui Brewing Company.

In addition to preparing the evening’s meals together, the celebrity chefs and the students they mentor spend several days together beforehand in an intimate learning exchange, providing invaluable hands-on experience for MCA students. This year’s celebrity “noble chefs” are: